Pre-Masters week one-time deal, as expected

While the Valero Texas Open kicks off this week as a tune-up tournament for many players in the week leading into the Masters, the tournament is expected to move to a different week next year.

This year, because of contractual obligations, the Texas Open slipped into the slot that had traditionally been the Shell Houston Open to move the San Antonio event off Easter weekend. Next year, however, officials expect golfers will head to the TPC San Antonio AT&T Oaks Course two weeks before the Masters.

“Any time before the Masters is a big event,” Texas Open executive director Larson Segerdahl said, who confirmed that the expected move is not official until the PGA Tour releases its 2014 schedule.

The change would place the Texas Open on the weekend of March 27-30, while the Masters is listed for April 10-13.